| Aziz Idris |
OVER 8,000 visitors comprising mostly fresh graduates flocked to the Bridex Hall, Jerudong for the Higher Education Expo 2018 over the past two days at the seaside venue.
The atmosphere on the final day was clear; most youths carried folders containing their qualification certificates and personal details while their parents accompanied them monitoring in planning for their children’s future.
The Bulletin spoke to several representatives from participating institutes and the feedbacks prove that there was a constant inquire for choices and opportunities in higher education, training, gainful employment and entrepreneurship at all participating booths.
The Higher Education Expo 2018, now in its 3rd instalment, gathered both government and private higher education institutions under one roof.
The enthusiasm that surrounded the education expo in the previous years led to a growing number of visitors each year, said a representative from the secretariat committee.
A total of 39 booths participated this year: 12 from both public and private higher education institutions, 17 from related government agencies, and 10 education agencies from the Ministry of Education as well as banks and insurance representatives.
Overseas missions from USA, Japan, Australia, South Korea and Indonesia as well as overseas education agencies were also present at the expo.
Meanwhile, Khalilah binti Zuhairi, 20, from Kuala Belait, said, “I came here with my mother to help me make my decisions in which areas to further my studies after completing my ‘O’ Levels.”
Asked which area of learning she was interested in most, she replied, “creative arts,” adding that she was inspired by her mother’s profession as a local actress.
Meanwhile, Nurhaziyah binti Haji Shari, plans to continue her studies in Mathematics, hopefully with Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) after recently completing her Higher National Diploma in the same institute.
“I have always loved Maths, and I’m hoping to be accepted again at UTB,” she said before adding that continuing her studies will help her gain more knowledge not just through books but also essential life skills that will help gain employment.
Organised by the Ministry of Education (MoE) through the Higher Education Division, Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) and Scholarship Section, the annual event aims to be a ‘one-stop information centre for higher education’ which will unite all post-secondary educational institutions, government and private institutions of higher learning within and outside the country under one roof to provide an overview of the post-secondary and tertiary education landscape in the country.
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